Fertilizer

What is fertilizer?

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If your product guarantees any amount of essential plant nutrient/s (nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium, calcium, magnesium, or sulfur, boron, zinc, manganese, iron, copper, molybdenum, or chlorine) it is considered and regulated as a fertilizer.

If your product guarantees both essential plant nutrient/s and soil amending ingredient/s it is considered and regulated as a fertilizer; however, in some states, soil amendment labeling regulations will also apply.​

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Which U.S. states regulate fertilizer?

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All U.S. states, (except AK and HI), require a state-specific distributor license and/or product registration before allowing fertilizer sale and distribution. The type and cost of each state's registration requirements vary according to product specifications such as nutrient guarantees, labeled use (i.e. agriculture vs non-agriculture), or package size.

What are the fertilizer label requirements?

Although each U.S. state regulates products individually, most states model labeling requirements based on uniform guidelines set by the Association of American Plant Food Control Officials (AAPFCO). Creating and maintaining a single label that meets label standards across all states is typically possible as long as there are no unverified claims.